Freescale Announces i.MX6 Lite Series

Last year, Freescale introduced i.MX6 series processors to the market in single, dual and quad core Cortex A9 configurations, today at CES 2012, they have announced i.MX6 Lite Series in single and dual core configuration respectively the i.MX6SoloLite and i.MX6 DualLite.

Freescale i.MX6 Series including SoloLite and DualLite

Both processors incorporate ARM Cortex-A9 cores and E-Ink controllers and are especially suited to e-Readers, but Freescale expect the i.MX6 DualLite to also to be used in tablets, IPTVs, IP phones, medical patient monitoring systems and home energy management solutions. The new processors are software-compatible with other i.MX 6 series devices, so that developers can create end-product at different price points using a common platform. Freescale explains that “this scalability enables the rapid creation of complete end-product portfolios that can adjust and scale to meet evolving market demands and requirements”.

The two new processors come to replace Freescale i.MX508 device, which is currently used in millions of eReaders.

Here are i.MX 6SoloLite key features:

Single ARM Cortex A9 at 1.0GHz

256KB L2 cache, Neon, VFPvd16, Trustzone

2D graphics

External memory support up to 32-bit DDR3 and LPDDR2

Integrated EPD controller

The i.MX 6SoloLite also introduces a new, simplified power management structure for optimization of power efficiency in order to help further extend eReader battery life.

Here are i.MX 6DualLite key features:

Dual ARM Cortex A9 at 1.0GHz

512KB L2 cache, Neon, VFPvd16, Trustzone

3D graphics with 1 shader

1080p Video Processing Engine

External memory support up to 64-bit DDR3 (up to 800MT/s) and 2-channel 32-bit LPDDR2

DDR3 and 2-channel 32-bit LPDDR2 at 400MHz

Integrated EPD controller

HDMI and LVDS video outputs

MIPI display and camera ports

PCIe

Freescale i.MX6 Comparison Table (Click to enlarge)

Freescale i.MX 6 series products support several operating systems, including Android 4.0 (ICS), Linux, QNX, Ubuntu and Windows Compact 7 and reference designs are available for faster time to market.

Freescale plans to begin shipping i.MX 6 Lite series devices in volume quantities in the second half of 2012.